New Public Health Issue for Texas

Indeed, Texas economy and education are set as one of the top two priorities for the Texas government to issue on; however, the Texas government is going to have to shift their focus to health care and public health due to the current circumstances of the West Nile Virus epidemic. 
According to one TM Daily Post article, the West Nile Virus outbreak has reached epidemic levels due to environmental issues (weather and the population of the virus' carriers, mosquitoes).  Due to the increase in the Texas temperature every year, the mosquitoes are able to thrive and migrate to Texas more easily.  This leads to an observable trend: as the years go by since 2006, the number of cases for the virus has increased.  There were 27 total virus cases in Texas during 2011.  Comparing 2011 to this year, it has been reported that there are 59 virus cases in Dallas, 40 in Tarrant county, 19 in Denton county, 5 in Collin county.
Despite the prevention methods provided and informed, the number of virus cases seems to maintain or grow at a slight rate.  Therefore, the Texas government should shift their focus more on health care and public health.  The economy and education issues could be worried later since Texas' economy is one of the most diverse and technology-based.  If the Texas government were to stick with the economy as the top priority, then more and more Texans are going to become afflicted by the West Nile Virus.  As a result, the Texas government will eventually have weaker support due to the number of sick citizens.
In response to this threatening health issue, the Texas government should invest more into tracking down any sources of the carrier mosquitoes and the mosquitoes' entrances into Texas.  Once the government and authorities have tracked down the mosquitoes path, the number of mosquitoes entering Texas can decrease and the number of virus cases will hopefully decrease as well.  In addition, the Texas authorities should spend time in informing the public more, especially at schools and local areas.  Once the students and other individuals are fully aware of the virus and its effects, practices of prevention will be strengthened and applied more.